AP File PhotoFormer Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson said Johnny Manziel (above) has kept his head down during the Cleveland Browns' offseason practices, but it's clear the rookie quarterback is supremely confident in his ability.

ALLEN PARK -- No one is likely to confuse Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford with Cleveland Browns rookie Johnny Manziel. Simply put, the two couldn't play the position more differently.

The six-foot Manziel is elusive, making as many plays with his feet as his arm. The speedy signal caller gained more than 2,000 rushing yards the past two seasons at Texas A&M.

Stafford, a 6-foot-3 rocket-armed pocket passer has smashed, or is on pace to smash, every franchise passing record after racking up 14,655 yards and 90 touchdowns through the air since 2011.

But wide receiver Nate Burleson, who was one of Stafford's top targets the past four seasons before signing with the Browns this offseason, says there's one thing the two young quarterbacks share.

"They're very different, but the one thing where they are quite comparable is that they're quietly cocky, which is a great characteristic to have at the quarterback position," Burleson said. "You want to walk in the huddle and know the guy throwing you the ball feels like he's the best. Johnny has that. Matt has that."

Quiet isn't a word commonly associated with Manziel, but Burleson said the first-round pick has been keeping his head down during his first month with the Browns.

"Outside looking in, everyone has their misconceptions about him, but he's acting like a rookie should, which is don't say nothing," Burleson said. "He's not walking around with his chest out because rookies don't do that. He understands the role he's in, but I can tell he knows how good he is."

The situation in Cleveland has to feel familiar for Burleson. Four years ago he joined the Lions, a downtrodden organization optimistic about the future with Stafford in place as the franchise quarterback and Calvin Johnson well on his way to becoming one of the league's best wideouts.

The Browns, another hard-luck team, are pinning similar hopes to Manziel. And if Josh Gordon can get his act together off the field, Burleson will once again be lining up opposite one of the NFL's most productive young receivers.

"He's a monster," Burleson said. "I don't even think he knows how good he is yet."

Burleson turns 33 years old in August. There may be less tread on the tires, but his role in Cleveland will be similar to the one he had in Detroit.

"I'm strictly there to make some plays and help these kids become better professionals," he said.